FIFA will distribute a record $871 million to the 48 teams competing in the 2026 World Cup, marking a 15% increase from the $727 million payout in 2022. Each team will receive a minimum of $12.5 million, including $2.5 million for preparation and $10 million for qualifying, according to fortune.com.
The increase in total prize money reflects the expanded tournament format, which features 48 teams instead of the previous 32. FIFA also raised the baseline payouts by $1 million each compared to the last World Cup held in Qatar. Additionally, the organization will provide over $16 million in subsidies to help smaller teams with delegation costs and increased ticket allocations.
This payout surpasses previous tournaments and accounts for higher logistical expenses due to the event being hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Teams will also compete for additional prize money ranging from $9 million to $50 million based on their final rankings in the competition. The expanded prize pool underscores FIFA’s efforts to support all participating nations financially.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place across North America, with matches hosted in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The minimum $12.5 million payment to each team ensures substantial financial support ahead of the tournament kickoff.